Disfigured female ducks at the park... : (

[RosemaryDuck]

On Saturday, I visited the park to feed the ducks/swans/etc (I take some duck feed with me in a bag). There are a million pekins there because of course people just throw them on the lake when they don't want them. While I was there, a small flock of pekins approached me for food. There were 3 males, and 2 females.

The 1 female looked absolutely horrendous. Her wings were stripped to nubs, and bloody. Her body was stained underneath from what I assumed was blood she tried to wash off. The entire back of her head and neck were scabs and broken feather shafts. The second female was about the same, though her head was still somewhat feathered.

It's clear the males are over mating them to an extreme. I wanted to catch her to help, but the mayor here is absolutely obsessed with the birds at the park and there's a major fine if you touch any of them.

Who could I call in this case? It isn't a wild animal, so I don't think any rehabbers would help. I know it's nature and I should probably just leave it be, but I can't stop thinking about those poor ducks. Any tips?

 

[KaleIAm]

Wow, that is so sad! How about the humane society? Ours here cares about more than cats and dogs.

 

[RosemaryDuck]

Wow, that is so sad! How about the humane society? Ours here cares about more than cats and dogs.

I sometimes work with the local SPCA, and unfortunately they only do dogs & cats. But I'm sure I could find something in the same vein. Maybe a rescue. I don't know what legal rights they'd have to rescuing the ducks though since that whole park is a 'no touch' zone so to speak. I'd hate to call them out and have them get fined $5k for trying to help some poor animals. But I can look around! Thanks .

 

[RoostersAreAwesome]

Who could I call in this case? It isn't a wild animal, so I don't think any rehabbers would help. I know it's nature and I should probably just leave it be, but I can't stop thinking about those poor ducks. Any tips?

It’s not “nature”. Those are domestic ducks. Many of them likely die, to be replaced with more dumped ducks.

Are there any waterfowl sanctuaries near you? Not ones for wildlife, but for domestic fowl.

 

[RosemaryDuck]

It’s not “nature”. Those are domestic ducks. Many of them likely die, to be replaced with more dumped ducks.

Are there any waterfowl sanctuaries near you? Not ones for wildlife, but for domestic fowl.

Sorry, I worded that poorly. I understand it's not 'natural' since they're domestic, I just meant it's happening in nature and semi out of my control. I am going to look around for rescues though and see if anyone can help out.

 

[KaleIAm]

I sometimes work with the local SPCA, and unfortunately they only do dogs & cats. But I'm sure I could find something in the same vein. Maybe a rescue. I don't know what legal rights they'd have to rescuing the ducks though since that whole park is a 'no touch' zone so to speak. I'd hate to call them out and have them get fined $5k for trying to help some poor animals. But I can look around! Thanks .

Bummer.

Maybe if you look on Petfinder you could find barnyard animals for adoption, maybe even ducks, and then contact the rescue organizations. I can often find ducks under birds. I hope you can help save them!

 

[Miss Lydia]

This needs to be brought to the Mayor's attention, take lots of pictures snd send them to him/ her. If the Mayor cares about the ducks etc. something should be done. Bless you for caring.

 

[SolarDuck]

Unless the city actually owns the ducks i don't think they can fine you for touching them. I'd try to talk to some of the park staff and see what they say. At my local park the staff are told to not interfere when they see people dumping or taking ducks.

 

[Aquira]

Is there a local vet that deals with fowl? You could try contacting them and show them pics and stuff to see if they can do anything about it. Or if they know anyone who can help.

 

[Finnie]

This needs to be brought to the Mayor's attention, take lots of pictures snd send them to him/ her. If the Mayor cares about the ducks etc. something should be done. Bless you for caring.

I agree with this idea, and you could send an email, and copy both the mayor’s office and the animal control department. Either your city or your county, and maybe both, will have an animal control department. They may not run an animal shelter or a humane society, but I guarantee you the police/sheriff departments will have some way they deal with calls about animals.

Animal Control might not deal with ducks in the park, but copying them on the email with photos will help it get to the mayor’s attention (and whoever else makes these decisions).

Good luck!